JS body seeks action over potential consular negligence in preventing execution of Saudi expats

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought a comprehensive report regarding the recent execution by beheading of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia.

The committee has also asked the ministry to take measures for preventing similar incidents in future, and action against any consular officials found negligent in handling the cases following investigation.

These recommendations were made during the committee’s third meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday with the committee chairperson Jaharat Adib Chowdhury in the chair.

The meeting also reviewed the activities and staffing of Bangladesh's missions in Saudi Arabia.

The foreign ministry made a presentation on the current state of Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations, the principal activities of the country’s missions, institutional cooperation, bilateral trade, employment and remittances, and the major challenges and prospects in the Saudi labour market.

The committee recommended that the ministry present a detailed modernisation plan to improve the quality of services provided by Bangladesh’s missions in Saudi Arabia. It also urged the ministry to take necessary measures to protect female migrant workers employed in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir attended the meeting at the special invitation of the committee. The committee members ABM Mosharraf Hossain, SK Azizul Bari, Sayeed Al Noman, Humam Qader Chowdhury and Sanjida Islam were also present.

The foreign secretary and senior officials of the ministry and the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat attended the meeting.